On the A400M programme, five aircraft were delivered in the first half of 2016. The European Aviation Safety Agency certified an interim fix to the engine propeller gearbox (PGB) which, once available, will give air forces at least 650 flight hours before initial inspections of the affected parts of the PGB. The first major development milestone of the mission capability roadmap defined with customers earlier this year was successfully completed in June with certification and delivery of ‘MSN 33’, the 9th aircraft for the French customer. Industrial efficiency and military capability remain a challenge for the A400M programme. Furthermore, the EASA’s Airworthiness Directive, linked to the PGB on the engine, and various PGB quality issues have strongly impacted the customer delivery programme. Management has subsequently reviewed the programme evolution and estimated contract result incorporating the implications at this time of the revised engine programme and its associated recovery plan, technical issues related to the aluminium alloy used for some parts within the aircraft, recurring cost convergence issues and finally some delays, escalation and cost overruns in the development programme. As a result of the review, including an updated assumption of export orders during the launch contract phase, Defence and Space recorded an additional net charge of € 1,026 million. Commercial negotiations with OCCAR and the Nations are yet to take place with regard to the revised delivery schedule and its implications. As of today, the outcome of these negotiations cannot be reliably estimated. The potential impacts on the financial statements could be significant.

Airbus (AIR.PA) put a brave face on plans by France and Germany - the two main buyers of its troubled A400M military transporter - to operate an extra fleet of rival U.S. planes, saying it would spur European co-operation.

The two countries agreed this week to study a joint tactical airlift pool of Lockheed Martin (LMT.N) C-130J aircraft alongside the delayed A400M, with Germany looking at buying 4-6 U.S. troop planes on top of four ordered by France.

This puts a dent in longstanding plans for a fully European airlift capability around the A400M, and comes against a backdrop of tough negotiations with Airbus over delay penalties.

It's very interesting that DE is going to buy more C-130Js especially since it is not planning to take all of the A400Ms it has on order, allegedly due to financial issues, yet they are finding the money to buy C-130Js on relatively short notice?

Germany's military initially planned to operate only A400M transport planes once its C-160 Transall is retired in 2021, but studies later suggested it would need extra planes that could land on rough terrain more easily than the bulkier A400M.

Hoke insisted that the A400M could land everywhere that a Boeing (BA.N) C-17 transporter, C-130 or C-160 could.

This too is an interesting dichotomy.

The gun is NOT a precious symbol of freedomIt is a deadly cancer on American societyThose who believe otherwise are consumed by an ideologyThat is impervious to evidence

The C-160 fleet is getting long in the tooth. The Germans need something smaller than the A400M. No other A400M customer was or is planning a single-type tactical transporter fleet. I'm going to be so bold as to suggest that the C130J got the nod because of the AdlA order.

I had been hoping that the Luftwaffe would consider the C-295.

With regard to the A400M's landing abilities, its landing gear is based on that of the C-160. The C-160 easily matches the C-130.

C-130J got the French order and German nod because the bird has proven itself big time downrange with the USAF and USMC. Successful in-theater ops speak volumes against failed testing in non-kinetic airspace.

"History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid." D. Eisenhower

Airbus Defence and Space has delivered to the German Air Force its first A400M transport aircraft qualified for tactical operations and able to fly in areas subject to military threats.

The aircraft is the sixth A400M in German service and the first with the new capabilities in addition to the world-leading performance of all A400Ms as strategic transports. All aircraft will be retrofitted to the new standard and receive subsequent enhancements as those are certified.

Key aspects of the aircraft’s latest capabilities are improvements in its self-defence systems, ability to air-drop cargo loads, and paratrooping. Additionally it can operate on unprepared runways, fly as low as 150ft above the ground, refuel other aircraft as a tanker, and safely take-off and land in extremely high temperatures.

December in Sevilla :December 12th MSN43 delivered to German Air Force 54+07December 19th MSN41 delivered to German Air Force 54+06December 22nd MSN42 and 45 delivered to Royal Air Force ZM412 & ZM413

17 delivery in 2016 so far, I recall reading French Minister of Defense claim that another A/C was due to French Air Force in 2016, so maybe another delivery before year end, likely MSN53.

Interesting fact, MSN56 can be seen half completed (miss engines, APU and paint) and parked outside FAL for a couple of weeks. It had Turkish flag on the tail ("green A/C" all have MSN number and flag of customer on the tail before paint) but was removed, I would think it's not attributed anymore but not sure, it could be an early frame for Egypt if the deal materialize, or an opportunity to attract a new customer who'd need a frame quick ?

Germany is in talks with several countries, including the Czech Republic and Switzerland, about jointly operating a large number of the 13 Airbus A400M military transport planes it had planned to sell, a German newspaper reported.

Engine damage to the Leyens A400MVilnius: The visit of Defense Minister Leyen in Lithuania has come to an end with a technical breakdown. A jet engine fell out just like her first mission with a modern A400M transport aircraft. According to the Ministry of Defense, the aircraft had to stop at the airport in Kaunas, Lithuania. Leyen and their delegation fly back to Berlin with an older Transall machine. The Minister of Defense had visited the NATO battalion led by the Bundeswehr in Lithuania. She emphasized that the Baltic country was protected by the greatest military alliance ever. The NATO Combat Federation in Lithuania has a total of 1,000 soldiers; Almost half of it represents the Bundeswehr.

Schade...

The gun is NOT a precious symbol of freedomIt is a deadly cancer on American societyThose who believe otherwise are consumed by an ideologyThat is impervious to evidence

Rumor has it that the Luftwaffe disassembled their new toys to have hands on experience

This mornings newspaper here (SH:Z) writes about the fact that from the 8 delivered items exactly one is in flightworthy conditions.

* One is in the process of getting upgrades. (OK)* Three are out of order ( i.e. "in Reparatur" )* Three are in planned maintenance.

Damage for the one stuck in Litunia is said to be hydraulics related.

Why is it that French A400M seem to perform like clockwork while Germany portrays a disaster in the making.some political shenanigans in the works? There is a reason the lady is nicknamed Ulla von der Lügen.

Why is it that French A400M seem to perform like clockwork while Germany portrays a disaster in the making.some political shenanigans in the works? There is a reason the lady is nicknamed Ulla von der Lügen.

It's not just the A400M. The German NH-90s, EF2000s and Tigres are also full of problems that many other operators don't have.

Why is it that French A400M seem to perform like clockwork while Germany portrays a disaster in the making.some political shenanigans in the works? There is a reason the lady is nicknamed Ulla von der Lügen.

It's not just the A400M. The German NH-90s, EF2000s and Tigres are also full of problems that many other operators don't have.

Airbus (AIR.PA) called for new talks with European governments to ease "heavy penalties" for delays to its A400M military aircraft on Wednesday, after taking a fresh 1.2-billion-euro ($1.3 billion) charge in the latest blow to Europe's largest defense project.

Chief Executive Tom Enders told reporters the aerospace group was still paying for the "original sin" of striking an unrealistic procurement deal when the plane was launched in 2003.

Airbus won a 3.5 billion euro bailout from seven European NATO nations in 2010 after being saddled with liability for wild cost overruns on its engines.

Airbus (AIR.PA) called for new talks with European governments to ease "heavy penalties" for delays to its A400M military aircraft on Wednesday, after taking a fresh 1.2-billion-euro ($1.3 billion) charge in the latest blow to Europe's largest defense project.

Chief Executive Tom Enders told reporters the aerospace group was still paying for the "original sin" of striking an unrealistic procurement deal when the plane was launched in 2003.

Airbus won a 3.5 billion euro bailout from seven European NATO nations in 2010 after being saddled with liability for wild cost overruns on its engines.

Monday took place the MSN53 ToT with French Air Force (F-RBAK). I understand it's a 2016 delivery for Airbus D&S, so a total of 18 frames delivered in 2016.

Finally Airbus reports 17 deliveries in 2016, therefore this MSN53 is booked as a 2017 delivery. No 13rd month at Airbus D&S ? I also missed MSN46 [GAF 54+08] delivery this year, which is the second of 2017 stated in the report.

It still us under goverment supervision, per the 30th of March it will receive a civil status. NLR performed lots of flights the last couple of months to see what are the best flying routes for aircraft. Link(in dutch): http://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/c ... dichterbij

COMAC is also looking at EHTW to see if they can do certification testing there.

Maybe AB is already doing this, but is the A400M being offered in a civilian/commercial cargo version?

On a more "out-there" note, I would be very interested to see the how the economics of a passenger version would compare to contemporary turbofan aircraft, especially as there are no airliners optimized for 1000-2500 nmi sectors that seat ~275 passengers (which is what I figure a pax version would carry). Cruise speed is definitely fast enough to be competitive on those stage lengths.

Maybe AB is already doing this, but is the A400M being offered in a civilian/commercial cargo version?

No, and not anytime soon IMO.I know the design change to produce a "green aircraft" (without military system) have been studied and is known. I think it was needed by sales team for their difficult export campaign more than a plan for a civilian cargo derivative. For sure the bird would be very capable for such a role, too much capable, actually.On top, no way Airbus D&S would be able to cut prices enough to make it more attractive.

I really hope a 2 engine variant to replace the C-295 and C-160 comes along. There's a pic of a A410m floating around and it looks great. Should really benefit development of the engine and probably help with cost too.

Afaics we didn't see such a pronounced problem with the "zero" series test frames.

I don't think you can compare test frame availability with series airframes.The test frame are flying with so much limitations, a lot of which won't be allowed for normal operation, making those machine more available by defect.